Protecting Public Media, One Story at a Time

Edith Rutledge, KING-FM listener from Seattle, WA"I can't remember a time when classical music wasn't a part of my life. My mother played KING FM on the radio when I was growing up. [...] KING FM was playing when my son was born. You're with me in the car when I drive to work and you're greeting me when I get home, and it's a very personal thing!"

Karin Stende, Minnesota Public Radio listener from St. Paul, MN"[I appreciate] the "heartspace" stories--the stories that make me think, laugh, tear up, or get motivated. When my eight year old son says, "Turn it up, mom, I want to hear this!" I know he's learning something about the world we live in, and the conversations we have as a result are priceless."

Ronald Schwartz, Northwest Public Radio listener from Kennewick, WA"I think Northwest Public Radio is a jewel in our community. It helps inform people and is truly a way to continually challenge my knowledge and challenge me to understand the world and what's around me. I support it [...] so it can continue to provide the quality of programming that I've come to enjoy."

Debi Danielson, WKMS listener from Hazel, KY"WKMS exposes my teenage daughter to the human side of the news and public broadcasting. And part of that is not just through radio programming, but through the events and programs that the folks at WKMS participate in, in the community."

Mike Mitchell, WVTF listener from Floyd, VA"It is as a touring musician that I most rely on NPR programming. For example, I don't have "driveway moments," I have "rest-stop moments." [...] I rely on the service that NPR still provides, for real-time, real-human programming that is always informative, insightful and entertaining."

Michael Franti, WXPN listener from San Francisco, CA"I think it's really important for people to support XPN and public radio in general because it's the voice of the community [...] It's up to the independent voices, the independent radio stations, the community stations to be that expression of freedom."

Courtesy of Michael Franti/WXPN

Originally published on July 15, 2013 3:47 pm

So many of us have one: a moment that triggered the passionate public media junkie inside.

Remaining glued to your car stereo waiting for a fascinating story to finish, even though you'd already arrived at your destination. Seeing your child learn and laugh with Sesame Street, just like you did a generation before. Or maybe it was when damaging weather blew through your town and your local public radio or television station helped keep you and your loved ones informed. Many of us connect with public media over its in-depth news, entertainment and educational programming, and it's become an everyday ritual in our lives.

'Protect My Public Media'

As a likely public radio listener and supporter (you're reading this blog post, right?), you are one of the 170 million Americans who engage with public media every year.

Now, you can share your own personal story with other supporters at Protect My Public Media, an online resource for public media junkies everywhere. This grassroots campaign works to sustain federal funding for shows, music, websites, events and all the media run for and by your local public radio and television stations.

Protect My Public Media grew out of 170 Million Americans for Public Broadcasting and is an interactive website that enables users to create and share personal, multimedia-rich testimonials about their public media connections; learn about legislation and budgets affecting their local stations; and take action from their desktop, tablet or phone.

See what fans like you are already saying:

Public Media 101: Did you know?

For just $1.35 per person per year, over 98% of the U.S. population can enjoy free, over-the-air and online news, educational and cultural programming. In addition to their beloved programs, local public media stations provide free educational content and resources to teachers and parents.

Stations also serve as a communications lifeline during times of emergency and crisis such as such as the 9-11 attacks; hurricanes Katrinia, Rita, and Sandy; and wildfires. When the power grid is down, car radios and battery-powered radios become an essential source of information that keeps families safe.

Public media stations are independent, locally owned and operated, and are a vital source of local news and information for the communities they serve. These stations receive annual grants directly from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) that make up an important part of the diverse mix of revenue supporting their work, which also includes listener contributions, corporate sponsorship and other grants. Stations in turn draw on this mix of public and privately sourced revenue to pay NPR and other public radio producers - such as PRX, PRI and APM - for programming.